Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
Obverse and reverse of medal
Type	Commemorative medal
Awarded for	Community contribution
Presented by	The monarch of Australia, Canada, Ceylon, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom
Eligibility	Commonwealth citizens
Established	2 June 1953
Total	129,051

Ribbon bar

Related	Silver Jubilee Medal, Golden Jubilee Medal, Diamond Jubilee Medal, Platinum Jubilee Medal

The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (French: Médaille du couronnement de la Reine Élizabeth II^[1]) is a commemorative medal instituted to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953.

Award

[edit]

This medal was awarded as a personal souvenir from the Queen to members of the Royal Family and selected officers of state, members of the Royal Household, government officials, mayors, public servants, local government officials, members of the navy, army, air force and police in Britain, her colonies and Dominions. It was also awarded to members of the Mount Everest expedition, two of whom reached the summit four days before the coronation.^[2] It was struck at the Royal Mint and issued immediately after the coronation.^[3]

For Coronation and Jubilee medals, the practice up until 1977 was that the authorities in the United Kingdom decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to each of the Commonwealth countries and Crown dependencies and other possessions of the Crown. The award of the medals was then at the discretion of the government of each territory, which was left free to decide who was to be awarded a medal and why.^[4]

A total of 129,051 medals were awarded,^[5] including:

11,561 to Australians.
12,500 to Canadians.^[6]

Description

[edit]

Medal with rim impressed: Mount Everest Expedition

The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal is a silver disk, 1.25 inches in diameter. The obverse features a crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right, in a high-collared ermine cloak and wearing a Tudor Crown along with the collar of the Garter and Badge of the Bath. There is no raised rim and no legend.

The reverse shows the Royal Cypher EIIR surmounted by a large crown. The legend around the edge reads "QUEEN ELIZABETH II CROWNED 2nd JUNE 1953". The medal was designed by Cecil Thomas.^[7]

The dark red ribbon is 1.25 inches (32 mm) wide, with 5⁄64 inch (2 mm) wide white edges and two narrow dark blue stripes in the centre, each 5⁄64 inch (2 mm) wide and 1⁄16 inch (1.6 mm) apart.

Ladies who were awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal can wear it on their left shoulder with the ribbon tied in the form of a bow.^[3]

The medals were issued unnamed, except for the 37 issued to the British Mount Everest Expedition. These were engraved "MOUNT EVEREST EXPEDITION" on the rim.^[2]

Precedence by country

[edit]

Some orders of precedence are as follows:

Country	Preceding	Following
Australia Order of precedence^[8]	King George VI Coronation Medal	Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
New Zealand Order of precedence^[9]	King George VI Coronation Medal	Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
South Africa Order of precedence^[10]	Tshumelo Ikatelaho - General Service Medal	Independence Medal (Transkei)
Ceylon Order of precedence	50th Anniversary Medals (Army) (Navy) (Air Force)	Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal
United Kingdom Order of precedence^[11]	King George VI Coronation Medal	Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal

Notable recipients

[edit]

The following list includes notable New Zealanders who received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal,^[14]^[15] and is not an exhaustive list of recipients.

A

[edit]

B

[edit]

C

[edit]

D

[edit]

E

[edit]

F

[edit]

G

[edit]

H

[edit]

K

[edit]

Paddy Kearins

L

[edit]

Mary Gonzaga Leahy

M

[edit]

N

[edit]

P

[edit]

Rusty Page

R

[edit]

Edith Rudd

S

[edit]

Percy Storkey

T

[edit]

U

[edit]

Charles Upham

W

[edit]

Pakistan

[edit]

Samoa

[edit]

Tofilau Eti Alesana

Tonga

[edit]

References

[edit]

^ Médaille du couronnement de la Reine Élizabeth II
^ ^a ^b Captain H. Taprell Dorling. Ribbons and Medals. p. 113. Published A.H.Baldwin & Sons, London. 1956.
^ ^a ^b Howard N Cole. Coronation and Royal Commemorative Medals. p. 49. Published J. B. Hayward & Son, London. 1977.
^ New Zealand Defence Force - British Commonwealth Jubilee And Coronation Medals - The Coronation Medal 1953 Archived 23 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine (Accessed 5 May 2015)
^ Howard N Cole. Coronation and Royal Commemorative Medals. p. 49. Published J. B. Hayward & Son, London, 1977. Cole states 129,051 medals were struck, citing 84th Annual report of the Deputy Master and Comptroller of the Royal Mint, 1953 (HMSO 1955).
^ Veterans Affairs Canada - Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953) (Accessed 5 May 2015)
^ "Cecil Walter Thomas OBE, FRBS". Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland–1951. University of Glasgow. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
^ "The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards" (PDF). Government House. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
^ "Order of Wear: Orders, Decorations and Medals in New Zealand". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
^ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC 72827981
^ "No. 56878". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2003. p. 3352.
^ Williams, Meta (1992). Mrs Lilian Gresham, State Commissioner, 1945-1954: The Post-War Reconstruction Era. Brisbane, Australia: Girl Guides Australia (Queensland). p. 43. ISBN 0646102702.
^ Collins, Susan (2008). "Architect Details: Frank Kenneth Milne". Architects of South Australia. University of South Australia. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
^ Taylor, Alister; Coddington, Deborah (1994). Honoured by the Queen – New Zealand. Auckland: New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa. ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
^ "Coronation Medal" (PDF). Supplement to the New Zealand Gazette. No. 37. 3 July 1953. pp. 1021–1035. Retrieved 14 April 2021.

Commonwealth Coronation and Jubilee medals

George III

1809	King George III Jubilee Medal King George III and Queen Charlotte Jubilee Medal

Victoria

1877	Empress of India Medal
1887	Golden Jubilee Medal Police Golden Jubilee Medal
1897	Diamond Jubilee Medal Mayors and Provosts Medal Police Diamond Jubilee Medal
1900	Visit to Ireland Medal

Edward VII

1902	Coronation Medal Mayors and Provosts Medal Police Coronation Medal
1903	Delhi Durbar Medal Police Medal for King's visit to Scotland Visit to Ireland Medal

George V

1911	Coronation Medal Police Coronation Medal Visit to Ireland Medal Delhi Durbar Medal
1935	Silver Jubilee Medal

George VI

1937	Coronation Medal

Elizabeth II

1953	Coronation Medal
1977	Silver Jubilee Medal
2002	Golden Jubilee Medal
2012	Diamond Jubilee Medal
2022	Platinum Jubilee Medal

Charles III

2023	Coronation Medal

Orders, decorations, and medals of Australia

(order of wearing)

National orders

/ Order of Australia

Royal orders

Gallantry

Bravery

Distinguished service

Conspicuous service

Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)
Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)

Nursing service

Nursing Service Cross (NSC)

Meritorious service

Campaign medals
(service periods)

1939–1945	Australia Service Medal 1939–1945
1945–1975	Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975 Australian General Service Medal for Korea (1953–1956) Vietnam Medal (1964–1973) Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal (1968–1973) Australian Service Medal 1945–1975
1975–2012	Australian Active Service Medal (1975–present) Rhodesia Medal (1979–1980) International Force East Timor Medal (1999–2000) Afghanistan Medal (2001–2014) Iraq Medal (2003–2013) Australian Service Medal (1975–present)
2012–present	Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection (2012–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – GMEO (2014–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Special Operations (2019–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Counter Terrorism/Special Recovery (2020–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Africa (2023–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Civilian (2012–present)

Special service

Police Overseas Service Medal
Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal
National Emergency Medal
Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945
National Police Service Medal
Australian Sports Medal (2000, 2021–present)

Commemorative

King Edward VII Coronation Medal (1902)
King George V Coronation Medal (1911)
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal (1999)
Centenary Medal (2001)
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022)
King Charles III Coronation Medal (2023)

Long service

Defence Force Service Medal (1982–1998)
Reserve Force Decoration (1982–1998) (RFD)
Reserve Force Medal (1982–1998)
Defence Long Service Medal (1998–)
National Medal
Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal
Service Medal of the Order of St John

Other defence awards

v t e South African military decorations and medals
Sorted in order of wear per era or 1994 constituent force
Pre-Union until 6 April 1952	Victoria Cross Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Service Cross Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Air Force Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal) Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) Distinguished Service Medal Military Medal Distinguished Flying Medal Air Force Medal British Empire Medal (Military) South Africa Medal (1853) South Africa Medal (1880) Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal Queen's South Africa Medal Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog Lint voor Verwonding King's South Africa Medal Natal Native Rebellion Medal 1914–15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal (South Africa) Mercantile Marine War Medal 1939–1945 Star Atlantic Star Arctic Star Air Crew Europe Star Africa Star Pacific Star Burma Star Italy Star France and Germany Star Defence Medal War Medal Africa Service Medal King George V Coronation Medal King George V Silver Jubilee Medal King George VI Coronation Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom) Meritorious Service Medal (Cape of Good Hope) Meritorious Service Medal (Natal) Meritorious Service Medal (South Africa) Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Cape of Good Hope) Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal) Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (South Africa) Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal Efficiency Decoration (South Africa) Efficiency Medal (South Africa) Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Air Efficiency Award King's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal South African Medal for War Services Sir Harry Smith's Medal for Gallantry (Unofficial) Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps Medal (Unofficial) Kimberley Star (Unofficial) Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of O'okiep (Unofficial)
1952–1994	Honoris Crux Gold Star of South Africa, Gold Star of South Africa, Silver Star of South Africa (1952) Louw Wepener Decoration Honoris Crux (1952) Honoris Crux Silver Van Riebeeck Decoration Honoris Crux (1975) Pro Virtute Decoration Southern Cross Decoration Pro Merito Decoration Van Riebeeck Medal Louw Wepener Medal Ad Astra Decoration Army Cross Air Force Cross Navy Cross Medical Service Cross Southern Cross Medal (1952) Pro Merito Medal (1967) Southern Cross Medal (1975) Pro Merito Medal (1975) Danie Theron Medal Jack Hindon Medal Military Merit Medal Korea Medal Pro Patria Medal Southern Africa Medal General Service Medal (South Africa) Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service Good Service Medal, Gold John Chard Decoration De Wet Decoration Cadet Corps Medal Good Service Medal, Silver Union Medal Permanent Force Good Service Medal John Chard Medal Good Service Medal, Bronze De Wet Medal Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces Commandant General's Medal SADF Champion Shot Medal National Cadet Bisley Grand Champion Medal
Transkei	Cross for Bravery Transkei Defence Force Medal Independence Medal (Transkei) Military Rule Medal Faithful Service Medal
Bophuthatswana	Order of the Leopard, Commander Distinguished Gallantry Cross Defence Force Merit Decoration Distinguished Gallantry Medal Defence Force Merit Medal Marumo Medal, Class I Defence Force Commendation Medal Marumo Medal, Class II Nkwe Medal General Service Medal Independence Medal Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Gold Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Silver Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Bronze State President's Medal for Shooting
Venda	Gallantry Cross, Gold Gallantry Cross, Silver Distinguished Service Medal, Gold Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Venda Defence Force Medal General Service Medal (Venda) Independence Medal (Venda) Long Service Medal, Gold Long Service Medal, Silver Long Service Medal, Bronze
Ciskei	Sandile Decoration Sandile Medal Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal Ciskei Defence Medal Independence Medal (Ciskei) Medal for Long Service, Bronze President's Medal for Shooting
Umkhonto we Sizwe	Star for Bravery in Gold Star for Bravery in Silver Conspicuous Leadership Star Decoration for Merit in Gold Merit Medal in Silver Merit Medal in Bronze Operational Medal for Southern Africa South Africa Service Medal Service Medal in Gold Service Medal in Silver Service Medal in Bronze
Azanian People's Liberation Army	Gold Star for Bravery Bravery Star in Silver Star for Conspicuous Leadership Gold Decoration for Merit Silver Medal for Merit Bronze Medal for Merit Operational Medal for Southern Africa South Africa Service Medal Gold Service Medal Silver Service Medal Bronze Service Medal
From 1994	Nkwe ya Gauta Nkwe ya Selefera iPhrothiya yeGolide Nkwe ya Boronse iPhrothiya yeSiliva iPhrothiya yeBhronzi Tshumelo Ikatelaho Unitas Medal Closure Commemoration Medal Medalje vir Troue Diens

Elizabeth II

Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms (1952–2022)

Realms

Titles and
honours

Family

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (husband)
Charles III (son)
Anne, Princess Royal (daughter)
Prince Andrew, Duke of York (son)
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (son)
George VI (father)
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (mother)
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (sister)
Mountbatten-Windsor family

Accession and
coronation

Reign

Jubilees

Silver Jubilee	Events Medal Honours Jubilee Gardens Jubilee line Jubilee Walkway
Ruby Jubilee	Queen's Anniversary Prizes
Golden Jubilee	Prom at the Palace Party at the Palace Medal Honours The Odyssey 2002 royal tour of Canada
Diamond Jubilee	Pageant Armed Forces Parade and Muster Thames Pageant Gloriana Spirit of Chartwell Concert Gibraltar Flotilla Medal Honours
Sapphire Jubilee	Sapphire Jubilee Snowflake Brooch
Platinum Jubilee	Medal Beacons Platinum Party at the Palace Pageant Platinum Jubilee Celebration: A Gallop Through History Trooping the Colour National Service of Thanksgiving Platinum Pudding The Queen's Green Canopy Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours The Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Concert Big Jubilee Read "Queenhood" Queen's Platinum Jubilee Gardens

Death

Commonwealth
tours

Ships used	HMS Vanguard (23) SS Gothic (1947) HMY Britannia

State visits

Outgoing	State visit to Spain State visit to Russia State visit to Ireland
Incoming	Pope Benedict XVI President Michael D. Higgins President Xi Jinping

Depictions

Televised addresses	Royal address to the nation Royal Christmas message
Documentaries	Royal Journey (1951) A Queen Is Crowned (1953) Royal New Zealand Journey (1954) The Queen in Australia (1954) The Royal Tour of the Caribbean (1966) Royal Family (1969) Elizabeth R: A Year in the Life of the Queen (1992) Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work (2007) The Diamond Queen (2012) Elizabeth at 90: A Family Tribute (2016) The Coronation (2018) Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts (2022) Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen (2022)
Film and television	Spitting Image (1984–96); (2020–21) A Question of Attribution (1992 TV) Willi und die Windzors (1996) Her Majesty (2001) The Queen (2006) South Park: The Snuke (2007) The Queen (2009 TV serial) Happy and Glorious (2012) A Royal Night Out (2015) Minions (2015) The Crown (2016–23) The Queen's Corgi (2019) 2020 Alternative Christmas message (2020) The Prince (2021)
Plays	A Question of Attribution (1988) The Audience (2013) Handbagged
Portraits	Herbert James Gunn (1950) William Dargie (1954) Pietro Annigoni (1955, 1969 and 1972) Andy Warhol (1985) Richard Stone (1992) Justin Mortimer (1997) Rolf Harris (2005) Ralph Heimans (2012) Damien Hirst (2014) Henry Ward (2016) Ai-Da (2022)
Statues	Windsor Winnipeg Lagos Toronto York Minster Oakham
Books	The Queen and I The Little Princesses The Uncommon Reader Winnie-the-Pooh Meets the Queen Queen Camilla
Songs	"God Save the Queen" (Sex Pistols song) "Her Majesty"
Stamps	Wilding series Canadian domestic rate stamp Castle series Country definitives Machin series (list)

Animals

Corgis	Dookie Susan
Horses	Aureole Burmese Carrozza Dunfermline Estimate Height of Fashion Highclere Pall Mall Winston

← George VI
Charles III →

Award

Description

Precedence by country

Notable recipients

Australia

Brunei

Ceylon

Nepal

New Zealand

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

K

L

M

N

P

R

S

T

U

W

Pakistan

Samoa

Tonga

See also

References